Means for modifying the transmitted light in moving lens cinematograph machines



ra :117v ja/fi). um N335., W. E. JQHN ZQNMN 3 MEANS FOR MODIFYING THE TRANSMITTED LIGHT IN MOVING LENS CINEMATOGRAPH MACHINES FiledFeb 24 1934 Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Wesley Ernest John, Johannesburg, Transvaal, Union of South Africa Application February 24, 1934, Serial No. 712,699 In Great Britain August 25, 1933 1 claim. (cl. sii-16.8.)

The present invention relates to cinematograph cameras in which a single series of lenses moves continuously with the film and in which several lenses of the series are exposed simultaneously through an elongated aperture arranged with its length in the direction of movement of the lenses and the lm.

The object of the present invention is to provide means for stopping down the light, which meets the peculiar conditions set up by a camera of this kind.

It is not possible to restrict the light by varying the length of the aperture since to do so would alter the number of lenses which are simultaneously exposed in the aperture. The number of lenses to be simultaneously exposed in the aperture is a matter to be determined by other considerations, such as the number of constituent pictures it is desired to have in the single composite picture produced by the optical means above referred to.

It is possible to contract the aperture in the direction of its width by adjustable shutters, but this alone does not give satisfactory results since it tends to distribute the light unevenly over the width of the iilm.

According to the invention there is provided a rotatable disc provided with spiral slots. Said slots are arranged to cross the aperture substan- 130 tially at right angles. The disc is rotated with the mechanism which drives the series of lenses and the nlm and the slots are so shaped that as they are superimposed upon the aperture they are spaced equally with the lenses exposed in the aperture and traverse the length of the aperture at the same speed as the lenses, so that each remains opposite a lens. The Width of a slot is such that it suppresses a portion of the light which would otherwise be transmitted by its lens. Shutters, preferably adjustable, are provided at the long sides of the aperture whereby the eifective length of each disc slot is reduced to an approximate square concentric with each lens,

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in whichz Figure I is a front elevation of a cinematograph provided with an apertured rotating Wheel for modifying the light volume.

Figure II is a plan of Figure I.

Referring to Figures I and II, 2 indicates a picture iilm which is driven continuously by mechanism 3 and travels past an aperture ft elongated in the direction of travel of the lm as indicated by the arrow 5.

The optical system is of the kind referred to in United States specifications 1,768,772 and 1,822,528 and comprises a fixed composing lens 6 and a number of loose carriers I each containing a lens system 8. 9 is a casing containing a pocketed wheel I0, which latter is rotated in 5 unison with the film feed mechanism 3 by means of a pinion I I fast on a shaft I2 and gearing I3. Said casing also provides a straight guide I4 parallel with the iilm and terminating in curved end guides I5. The lens carriers 'I are arranged 10 as an endless train occupying the straight guide I, its curved terminals I5, and the wheel pockets I 6 extending between said terminals. Rotation of the wheel III causes the lenses 8 to circulate so that those in the straight guide I4 move 15 parallel to and at the same speed as the film 2; and some of them are constantly exposed at the slot When the parts are embodied in a camera the effect is that a number of separate images are 20 projected onto a length of sensitive lm which is exposed at the slot 4 and said images are stationary relatively to the lrn.

According to the invention there is interposed in the light path and preferably between the 25 composing lens 6 and the moving lenses 8, a disc Il mounted on a shaft I8 which is arranged parallel with the axis of the optical system. Said shaft is connected by gearing I9 to the shaft I2 so as to rotate synchronously with the 30 wheel I0 and the nlm feed mechanism 3.

In said disc are provided a number of spiral slots 20, 20ct etc. so arranged as to cross the aperture Il substantially at right angles and such also that when the various parts described are 35 in motion, any given slot such as 20a enters the el'd of projection simultaneously with one moving lens such as 8a and in front thereof and remains in that position relatively to the lens 8a until the latter passes beyond the aperture 40 Said slots are made narrower than the diameter of the lenses 8 whereby the reduced light transmitting aperture thus deined by each disc aperture consists of a materially diametral strip of the lens circle. The aperture d is provided with longitudinal shutters 2|, 22 which are adjustable simultaneously towards and from the horizontal central line of the aperture 4, by means of a pinion 23 engaging racks 24, 25 at its 50 opposite ends, said racks being rigid with the shutters 2|, 22 respectively. A wheel 2S 1s provided for rotating the pinion: and, by adjusting it, the effective width of the aperture 4 can be made equal to the Width of the slots 20, 55

so that the effective light transmitting area is film and lens driving mechanisms to rotate thererepresented by an approximate square 21. with, said disc providing spiral slots such that a 1 claim: portion of eafch remains opposite a moving lens In a. cinematograph camera, the combination during exposure of the latter, said slots being 5 of means to feed a film Continuously, a single narrow whereby they reduce the amount of light i series of lenses moving with the film, means prowhich would otherwise be transmitted by the viding an aperture which is elongated in the lenses, and means for limiting the width of the direction of movement and at which several lenses aperture. of the series are exposed simultaneously, a dise WESLEY ERNEST JOHN. 10 interposed in the light path and connected to the 1 

